VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Qu Biologics Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing Site Specific Immunomodulators (SSIs), a unique platform of immunotherapies designed to restore the body’s innate immune system, reports high clinical and endoscopic response rates in its recently completed Phase 2, open-label, dose ranging trial in study participants with moderate to severe Ulcerative Colitis. In the study, 8 of 11 (73%) QBECO SSI treated participants achieved clinical response and 5 patients (45%) had endoscopic healing within the first 16 weeks of treatment with one patient in clinical and endoscopic remission by study week 81. Importantly, histological improvement occurred in 6 of 11 (55%) trial participants, including 6 of 8 (75%) responders.
Dr. Hal Gunn, CEO of Qu Biologics, commented, “While this is a small study, we are very encouraged by the clinical and endoscopic responses that were achieved in patients treated with QBECO SSI. We are particularly excited about the endoscopic and histological responses that were observed as it appears that QBECO SSI treatment can result in symptom relief and healing at the mucosal and tissue levels.” Dr. Gunn added, “Research has demonstrated that histological improvement is correlated with improved long-term outcome in ulcerative colitis, including reduction in hospitalizations and surgery, and so we are particularly pleased that our novel treatment may have long lasting therapeutic impact in this challenging disease.”
As Jim Pankovich, Qu Biologics’ VP Clinical Operations and Drug Development noted, “This study is the first indication that treatment with QBECO SSI can result in clinical, endoscopic and histological improvement, all important outcome criteria in our ulcerative colitis program and overall inflammatory bowel disease development program."
These data add to the body of knowledge and understanding Qu Biologics is generating about the use of QBECO SSI for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Further data evaluation from the study is ongoing, including analysis of immune marker changes and correlation between patient genetics and response to QBECO treatment.
For more information about Qu Biologics and the science behind SSIs, please visit www.qubiologics.com.
About Qu Biologics
Qu Biologics is a Vancouver-based private clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing Site Specific Immunomodulators (SSI), a novel class of immunotherapies. SSIs are designed to stimulate an innate immune response in targeted organs or tissues to reverse the chronic inflammation underlying many conditions including cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory lung disease and arthritis. SSIs are a broad platform technology being tested in multiple disease indications, including Health Canada approved clinical trials in lung cancer, Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
Backed by a prestigious group of scientific advisors and board members, Qu Biologics is led by a management team that includes co-founder and CEO Dr. Hal Gunn, a physician and expert on the body’s immune response to chronic disease; and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Simon Sutcliffe, former CEO of the BC Cancer Agency and a distinguished clinician, scientist and leader in cancer control in Canada and internationally.
Qu Biologics Inc. cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are only predictions based upon current expectations and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of release of the relevant information, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, Qu Biologics’ forward-looking statements due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Qu Biologics’ business including, without limitation, statements about: the progress and timing of its clinical trials; difficulties or delays in development, testing, obtaining regulatory approval, producing and marketing its products; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of its products that could delay or prevent product development or commercialization; the scope and validity of patent protection for its products; competition from other pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies; and its ability to obtain additional financing to support its operations. Qu Biologics does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by law.
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1 Clinical response and remission rates were assessed using the standard Mayo score with clinical response defined as a decrease of at least 3 points and at least 30% and either a decrease from the pre-treatment rectal bleeding sub-score of at least 1 point or rectal bleeding sub-score of ≤1. Clinical remission is defined as Mayo score ≤ 2 points, with no individual subscore >1. Endoscopic healing is an improvement in the endoscopic appearance of the mucosa defined as a Mayo endoscopic sub-score of 0 or 1. Endoscopic remission is a Mayo endoscopic sub-score of 0.